Quartet (2012)

At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.

Director:

Dustin Hoffman

Writers:

Ronald Harwood (play), Ronald Harwood (screenplay)

Stars:

Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Billy Connolly

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maggie Smith	...	Jean Horton
Tom Courtenay	...	Reginald Paget
Billy Connolly	...	Wilf Bond
Pauline Collins	...	Cissy Robson
Michael Gambon	...	Cedric Livingston
Sheridan Smith	...	Dr. Lucy Cogan
Andrew Sachs	...	Bobby Swanson
Gwyneth Jones	...	Anne Langley (as Dame Gwyneth Jones)
Trevor Peacock	...	George
David Ryall	...	Harry
Michael Byrne	...	Frank White
Ronnie Fox	...	Nobby
Patricia Loveland	...	Letitia Davis
Eline Powell	...	Angelique
Luke Newberry	...	Simon

Storyline

Cecily, Reggie, and Wilfred are in a home for retired musicians. Every year, on October 10, there is a concert to celebrate Verdi's birthday and they take part. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium. She still acts like a diva, but she refuses to sing. Still, the show must go on... and it does.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to giuseppe verdi | opera | senility | based on play | concert | 

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Taglines:

Every diva deserves an encore.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and suggestive humor

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook [Germany] Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English Italian Polish

Release Date:

1 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Quartett

Filming Locations:

Hedsor House & Park, Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$47,122 (USA) (11 January 2013)

Gross:

$18,381,787 (USA) (21 June 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Headline Pictures, BBC Films, DCM Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Maggie Smith recommended Pauline Collins to director Dustin Hoffman for the part of Cissy.

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Goofs

While Reggie is playing croquet with Wilf, his pocket handkerchief and shirt buttons suddenly swap sides, indicating a flipped shot.

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Quotes

Wilf Bond: I read somewhere that the average man thinks of sex every seven seconds.
Reginald Paget: Do you?
Wilf Bond: I wish, it was only every seven seconds.

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Crazy Credits

As the final credits roll, photos of each of the supporting cast members of retired musicians is shown beside a picture of them during their performing careers.

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Connections

Referenced in Film 2016: Episode dated 19 November 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Léon Charles

User Reviews

Strong, subtle, moving - just beautiful

It isn't often one can say "I loved every moment", but for this film it's true! Never for an instant does Dustin Hoffman stray into overwrought drama, mawkishness or bathos: his direction is restrained and subtle, there is humour a-plenty, yet the film packs a powerful emotional punch. And with a cast like that, how could he lose? And that's not just the stars, although they create wonderfully satisfying characters: the "minor" characters are also perfectly realised. Plus, the settings!!!! I felt like rushing off to make a booking at Beecham's for my old age! With such a great ensemble cast we are well-served, though for me, Pauline Collins was a stand-out - funny and so touching. I think I'd like to see it again.